Indian PM Pledges to Bring US Nuclear Deal Before Parliament

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says he will bring a controversial nuclear pact with the United States before parliament before enacting the deal.

Mr. Singh made a rare acknowledgment Monday that there were concerns with the deal, referring to the communist parties' threat to force early elections if the pact is passed.

The prime minister said he only wants the authority to complete negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Despite failed talks with the communists, Mr. Singh said they could still achieve an outcome that will satisfy all parties.

India's communist parties are threatening to pull their support from the prime minister's government if the nuclear deal is passed. They say the pact could compromise India's national security and align the country too closely with Washington.

The deal gives India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and technology for the first time in decades. In exchange, India has to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs and admit international inspectors.

India has nuclear weapons but has not signed the the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Until now, it has been barred from buying U.S. atomic energy technology.